WSU Tech Named a Fastest Growing College in the Nation

WSU Tech Named a Fastest Growing College in the Nation

WSU Tech ranked second fastest growing college among 952 two-year institutions in the nation.

Wichita, Kansas – The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College, at No. 2 among its “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2006-2016” in its Almanac of Higher Education 2018. In the 10-year span, the college experienced a 418.3% increase in enrollment.

WSU Tech is the only Kansas institution to make the list of fastest-growing public associate and baccalaureate/associate institutions and one of two Kansas institutions to earn a spot in the rankings across all higher-education sectors.

Dr. Sheree Utash, President, WSU Tech said “WSU Tech is being more innovative in our approach to recruiting students, providing relevant training and credentials in order to meet employer needs and creating pathways of employment for our graduates. We have added new programs to meet workforce needs and have been intentional in our work to remove barriers for students.”

In the fall of 2006, enrollment at WSU Tech numbered at 693. By fall 2016, the number of enrolled students had increased to 3,592. The enrollment growth did not stop in the fall of 2016 for WSU Tech, rather it gained momentum as the college welcomed its largest class of 4,267 students in the fall 2017 semester. This is an additional 18.8% increase in headcount. The growth in enrollment comes, in part, as a result of initiatives and designations that appeal to a diverse range of students and meet the local Wichita workforce needs. The college anticipates yet another year of increased enrollment for the fall 2018 semester.

“It is amazing what is possible when a group of determined people work together to promote access and opportunity.” said Justin Pfeifer, Vice President of Student Services at WSU Tech. “I am proud to be a part of this team. A lot of lives have been changed and we are just getting started.”

The Chronicle’s rankings are based on its in-house analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education. The list includes U.S. degree-granting institutions with at least 500 students in 2006.

View the complete list of “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2006-16” here on The Chronicle of Higher Education website.

WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College, is the state’s leader in modern technical education offering over 100 degree and certificate options in aviation, healthcare, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science and business. WSU Tech serves as managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS. WSU Tech is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a Kansas Board of Regents institution. For more information, visit www.WSUTECH.edu.

WSU Tech will be closed and classes will be canceled Wednesday, Dec. 5 in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.

Weather update: All classes are canceled and college offices will be closed Thursday, Feb. 7. For events at the college, contact the event organizer for more information. WSU Tech will resume its normal schedule on Friday, Feb. 8.